Revelations made by some ULAA insiders suggest the contrary. FPA has been informed the umbrella organization for Liberians in the US has expressed disappointment on the issue with the Liberian government through President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s national security advisor, H. Boima Fahnbulleh.

ULAA insiders hinted FPA that while the Ellen-led government has demonstrated a willingness to partner with ULAA, such effort continues to fall on hard rock, thus frustrating ULAA officials, who are seeking to be involved in every aspect of promoting the goals and objectives of the Government.

The Emmanuel Wettee-led ULAA has reiterated its commitment to partner with the Liberian government in promoting and ensuring the successful implementation of all of its goals and objectives for Liberia, including lobbying US Congress at that level and at any other level, to provide adequate funding and all other supports to Liberia to promote national objectives and goals of the Johnson-Sirleaf Government, but some insiders say ULAA has only been sugarcoating its relationship with the government to the public, while working behind the scene to get the government committed to certain terms and conditions, which are yet to be achieved.

Sadly, one ULAA source hinted FPA that Wettee administration’s effort to partner with the government has not seen the light of day as both parties remain at the opposite end. “They are not on the same page. There are huge differences, but this administration of ULAA finds it fitting that it would be in the best interests of Liberians across the globe for there to be some high level of positive engagement and partnership between the Government of Liberia and ULAA,” the source said.

He furthered that, “For too long now, ULAA and the Government of Liberia have remained on opposite ends. For too long now we have focused primarily on the political interests of Liberians and have failed to view the overall socio-political and economic issues faced by Liberians. Some of us have even placed our personal interests above and beyond the interests and welfare of our people here and at home.”

When contacted Wednesday, ULAA President Wetee would not confirm or deny the underground fight with the Liberian government for recognition. He also failed to say why such partnership as envisioned by his administration is not working. However, Wettee said ULAA has made its concerns known to the government through Fahnbulleh, who toured the US recently to dispel rumors that the government was witch-hunting its citizens.

According to Wettee, ULAA remains committed to change in Liberia. He said ULAA will ensure that Liberians across the world speak and act with one voice in the interests and welfare of Liberians and Liberia. “No more must Liberia and Liberians permit the tides of warfare, disunity to overwhelm us to the point of destroying ourselves and our country. No more must we allow a divide among Liberians anywhere and everywhere in the world. And no more must Liberians across the world remain disconnected from the social and financial burdens of raising Liberia to higher heights.”

He maintained, “so long the Government remains committed to their constitutional obligations and duties as well as having respect for human rights, liberties, and dignities of the Liberian people are respected, protected, and advanced and so long the Government of Liberia is open and ready to advance Liberia and Liberians in a more positive, dynamic, and progressive relationship with ULAA, for the benefit and advancement of Liberians anywhere and everywhere in the world, ULAA, under his administration, is open and ready to embrace every and all such efforts.”

“ULAA is not a political organization,” he stressed and added, “It is a non-profit organization that caters to promoting the interests and welfare of Liberians in America. Nevertheless, it is also a mission of ULAA to ensure that the Liberian people enjoy the rights, privileges, and dignities of a free and liberated society that ensures their human and equal rights and protection under the Constitution of Liberia,” Wettee noted.

He hinted that during a meeting with Fahnbulleh in Philadelphia recently, ULAA advanced some crucial recommendations which seek to enhance relations with the government. Among other things, ULAA recommended that a specific time should be allocated for an audience with President Sirleaf whenever she visits the US. He said such a forum would afford ULAA to make arrangements for the President to interact with the Diaspora Liberian community through forums such as town hall meetings. “The town hall meetings will allow the Diaspora Liberian community to interact with the President in the same format as the President Talk Show in Liberia,” Wettee stressed.

He noted that as ULAA changes from being more largely antagonistic towards the government to a partnership endeavor, the Union has positioned itself to promote progress and advancement of Liberia engaging the US Congress and the various states and local governments to solicit funding and other assistance the government needs to advance its goals and objectives.

ULAA has offered to partner with the government to initiate a comprehensive program that will facilitate the return of professional Liberians to render short or long term services in the areas of education, health, social services, business, etc. “For example, under such a program, a doctor, Liberian or otherwise, in America could return to Liberia during his/her vacation to work within one of Liberia’s hospitals and/or clinics and render health and/or social services to Liberians.”

However, the modalities of such a program will have to be worked out where the responsibilities of each of the partners (Liberian government and ULAA) will be clear and well defined.

Wettee disclosed that some Liberians returning home are finding out their lands or properties have been wrongfully or illegally sold to others, out-rightly taken away from them by others, or are in disputes. Wettee noted that although such matter should be resolved by the courts, his administration also recognizes that if Liberia has to welcome returning professionals who can make valuable contributions toward the progress and advancement of their kinsmen and country, such matters have to be speedily and honestly resolved.

“In order to ensure lasting peace and tranquility in our country, we called on the government to consistently recommit itself and our court system to their commitment to promoting the interests and welfare of our people and country. Thus, the rule of law and justice should and must prevail, at all costs, in Liberia and among Liberians,” he appealed.

The ULAA Chief Executive pointed out that Liberian non-profit or humanitarian groups that are established in America are currently finding it difficult clearing their goods out of the Free Port of Monrovia. He called on the government to establish a policy for these Liberian organizations or groups in America requesting duty free privileges in Liberia to clear their goods from the Free Port for the benefit of all Liberians.

“ULAA realizes that there are laws in Liberia governing activities at the Free Port, but we also realize Liberia is in dire need of assistance from her citizens all over the world. Although ULAA recognizes the need to abide by the laws of Liberia, it also recognizes the ardent health and other needs of Liberians across Liberia which the government at this time cannot adequately provide for. As such, any and all assistance from humanitarian groups and/or organizations in America should and must be welcomed.”

ULAA recommends that a policy be set by government to identify humanitarian groups in America sending goods to Liberia to assist all Liberians. “These groups should not be allowed duty free privileges to send goods to Liberia to any specific group(s) or organizations). Any goods sent to Liberia under the context of being ‘humanitarian’ and requesting tax-exempt status or clearance from the Freeport must be for the purpose of serving all Liberians. However, it is also the duty of the government to ensure that its officials are honest and trustworthy in the implementation of such a policy.”

The ULAA administration proposes that the government provides tax-exemptions and/or “breaks” for Liberian owned and other companies in return for their assistance with community developments such as building schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, etc. This administration can assist by ensuring that parent companies in America of those subsidiaries in Liberia are responsive to demands of the government in the interests of our people and country.

“This administration realizes that if Liberia and Liberians should and must progress and advance speedily in this millennium, it is important that Liberians in the Diaspora have a significant role in the progress and advancement of Liberians in Liberia, as well as around the world,” Wettee said and called on the Liberian government to establish within the Foreign Ministry of Liberia, and within all embassies of Liberia around d the world, a personnel and/or division to deal strictly with issues and concerns of Liberians in the Diaspora.